More Than a Story : The Two-dimensional Aesthetics of the Forest

Abstract

This article presents a general conception of aesthetic experience built on an analysis of the relationship between the narrative and the ambient dimensions of the aesthetic value of a natural environment, the forest. First of all, the two dimensions are presented with respect to the possibilities and problems raised by distinguishing between them.

Next, the possibilities of their relationship are analysed and it is argued that they are strongly complementary.

Keywords

• narrative
• ambient
• environmental aesthetics
• environment
• aesthetic value
• forest
• aesthetic experience
• aesthetic experience of nature